# Ok, so why does my new USB memory drive have a FEMALE port?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-so-why-does-my-new-usb-memory-drive-have-a-female-port/960079>\
**Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\
**Created:** [February 25, 2022, 1:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-so-why-does-my-new-usb-memory-drive-have-a-female-port/960079 "2022-02-25T01:20:51Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![John\_DiFool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_difool/32/19543_2.png) [@John\_DiFool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_DiFool)\
**Post date:** [February 25, 2022, 1:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-so-why-does-my-new-usb-memory-drive-have-a-female-port/960079/1 "2022-02-25T01:20:51Z")

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[Lexar S80](https://www.lexar.com/en/product/lexar-jumpdrive-s80-usb-3-1-flash-drive/)

Wanted to back some files on my old PC (for if I spring for a new one). Get the drive today, open the package-only to fin that it is female, not male. Do many devices even come with a male (extruding) port?

Now I’ll have to spring for a converter cable, which may retard the transfer speed of the drive itself.

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**Author:** ![Tabco](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tabco/32/7644_2.png) [@Tabco](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tabco)\
**Post date:** [February 25, 2022, 1:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-so-why-does-my-new-usb-memory-drive-have-a-female-port/960079/2 "2022-02-25T01:24:20Z")

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I believe the intent is to slide the ‘port side’ back, revealing the male end which you can then insert.

If you visit your link and click one of the arrows next to the image, you’ll see what I mean.

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**Author:** ![Folly](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/folly/32/3219_2.png) [@Folly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Folly)\
**Post date:** [February 25, 2022, 1:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-so-why-does-my-new-usb-memory-drive-have-a-female-port/960079/3 "2022-02-25T01:36:42Z")

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Keep it pg-13 guys…

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**Author:** ![John\_DiFool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_difool/32/19543_2.png) [@John\_DiFool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_DiFool)\
**Post date:** [February 25, 2022, 1:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-so-why-does-my-new-usb-memory-drive-have-a-female-port/960079/4 "2022-02-25T01:37:42Z")

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Aarrgghh. I tried fiddling with the thing to do that, to no avail. Just tried it again thanks to your hint, and voila. Thanksl

Reported for closure.

Heh, new meaning of computer porn…

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**Author:** ![engineer\_comp\_geek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/engineer_comp_geek/32/504_2.png) [@engineer\_comp\_geek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/engineer_comp_geek)\
**Post date:** [February 25, 2022, 1:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-so-why-does-my-new-usb-memory-drive-have-a-female-port/960079/5 "2022-02-25T01:43:50Z")

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